Skateboarding in Japan??

[Xism]

Hmm, on my free time I like to go with friends to Downtown and skate. Of course, not everyone exactly likes that due to: property damage, noise, loitering, and maybe "bad influences for children" ??<<funny story. Lol, well yeah I was wondering (for those of you living in Japan of course) wether you skateboard or not, how are they viewed as? Like, I know for a fact that people will like us and others won't (clearly). But I'd like to hear about what you see what goes on with skateboarders in japan; both gaijins and japanese.

[ashitaka]

I've never seen someone skateboarding in Japan, sorry I don't know more about it but i imagine it wouldn't be liked to much. Of course you will find some people who would be intrigued by skateboarding but I imagine the majority wouldn't care or wouldn't like it much.

[keatonatron]

Skateboarding is popular just like in the US. So is trick BMXing. There are many parks or other areas where there are large, open, paved areas that are very popular for skaters or BMXers. Although, they usually only go at night because during the day there are too many people.

Skateboarders seem to be older here, though. In the US you see a lot of high school kids skateboarding (hence the "bad influence" idea) but here it seems to be mostly people in their 20's and past the "being influenced" stage.

Edit: Just saw Ashitaka's response. Where did Japan did you look for skateboarders? I would imagine in the middle of Tokyo where there is no room to skate you wouldn't see many, but in the more rural areas it's not unheard of (I have a few friends who love skating, and I see BMX guys all the time here in Yokohama).

[Harisenbon]

Just to back up what Keat said, I have seen skateboarding a number of times in Japan, and even once in the station.

Unforunately, not being in that scene, I have no idea how they're viewed by the general populous.

[Mike Cash]

I sometimes see Japanese skateboarders practicing. I can't recall ever having seen one successfully complete a trick. That counts for nothing, though, as it is very likely a problem of my not being in the right place at the right time.

Most of the ones I see seem to be using the skateboard as some sort of fashion accessory to their hip-hop togs and are more interested in "styling" than they are in putting serious effort into skateboarding.

[lemonaid]

Mike Cash wrote:
Most of the ones I see seem to be using the skateboard as some sort of fashion accessory to their hip-hop togs and are more interested in "styling" than they are in putting serious effort into skateboarding.

There are those who use dogs and Starbucks cups for that purpose as well. A skateboard in the hands of someone who can't skate even if his life depends on it is better than a dog in the purse of someone who can't take care of her own life even if the dogs life depends on it.

I sincerely hope I'll never become be as fashion-oriented as some of my peers. I find the whole mindless consumer act to be a little shallow and unrewarding.

Oh, sorry for just butting in to the thread like this. I'm at work, bored.

[keatonatron]

lemonaid wrote:
A skateboard in the hands of someone who can't skate even if his life depends on it is better than a dog in the purse of someone who can't take care of her own life even if the dogs life depends on it.

I lolled

[two_heads_talking]

The Japanese skaters that I knew were as good as any in the X-games arena, (of course that was 15 some years ago..) however, if you watch the international scene you are seeing more and more Japanese skaters, BMXer's and even dirt-bike (aerial stunts) etc, so it's not such a stretch to see kids wanting to emulate their peers.

[Mike Cash]

lemonaid wrote:
I find the whole mindless consumer act to be a little shallow and unrewarding.

You may find Japan a disappointing place, then.

[Xism]

Ouch, using skateboards in Japan as a fashion? That kinda hurts but I'll let that slide. So I guess that probably means that some random person will come up to a skater and ask them to do a trick or two...But aside from that, I guess there's no serious skateboarding there (ex. someone doing a trick down a flight of stairs). Has anyone seen how police or other authorities react towards them?

[lemonaid]

Mike Cash wrote:

lemonaid wrote:
I find the whole mindless consumer act to be a little shallow and unrewarding.

You may find Japan a disappointing place, then.

No, and even if I did I'd still find the history and language interesting and my japanese friends to be wonderful people... but I know what you're saying.

To actually bring some informative information to the table I did a google search and found this site about skating in Japan. Enjoy.

http://skateboard.about.com/cs/boardscience/a/sk8inJapan.htm

[Mike Cash]

I have seen a couple of businesses that catered to the skateboard crowd, with indoor ramps and such things.

Both went bust.

There are most likely others, so don't read an inappropriate amount of meaning into my little bit of anecdotal evidence.

[two_heads_talking]

http://skateboard.about.com/cs/boardscience/a/sk8inJapan.htm

here is a small article about skate parks in Japan. with other links at the bottom

[lemonaid]

two_heads_talking wrote:
http://skateboard.about.com/cs/boardscience/a/sk8inJapan.htm

here is a small article about skate parks in Japan. with other links at the bottom

I beat you to it Two posts above yours.

[ashitaka]

Edit: Just saw Ashitaka's response. Where did Japan did you look for skateboarders? I would imagine in the middle of Tokyo where there is no room to skate you wouldn't see many, but in the more rural areas it's not unheard of (I have a few friends who love skating, and I see BMX guys all the time here in Yokohama).

That would be my back yard. Disregard my first post, I've only seen one skate boarder but I have seen many BMX guys.